Virtual Registration is Now Open!
Can’t make it to Orlando? You can still participate in The Future of Digital Leadership as a virtual attendee. Virtual registration includes:
- All 12 main stage sessions at The Future of Digital Leadership
- PDF files of all approved presentations
- Recordings of approved sessions for three months after the event
Note: Virtual registration closes at 5:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday, December 2.
The Future of Manufacturing Project: The Future of Digital Leadership is designed to equip operational leaders with the mindset, behaviors, skills, and tools needed to thrive in an M4.0 world, empowering them to lead their teams and organizations into the future. This event is part of the Future of Manufacturing Project.
Please note: The Future of Manufacturing Project is formerly known as the Manufacturing in 2030 Project.
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For questions on the agenda or if you’re interested in speaking at our event, please email [email protected].
Tuesday, December 2
6:00 p.m. Welcome Networking Reception
Network, engage and enjoy cocktails and conversations with fellow event participants.
Wednesday, December 3
7:15 a.m. Registration and Breakfast
8:00 a.m. Welcome and Introductions
8:10 a.m. Opening Address: The Digital Leader’s Playbook
- David R. Brousell, Founder, Vice President and Executive Director, Manufacturing Leadership Council
What skills will tomorrow’s manufacturing leaders need to succeed? Technological expertise, agility to thrive in flatter organizations, and the ability to orchestrate across functions won’t be optional—they’ll be the baseline. This session will define the capabilities that matter most and deliver clear guidance to help leaders prepare for the future.
8:30 a.m. Keynote: Leading Through Changing Times
- Andrea Kates, Entrepreneur-in-Residence, MIT Kuo Sharper Center for Prosperity and Entrepreneurship
Agility and adaptability are no longer enough for manufacturing leaders. In an era of turbulence and rapid change, executives must sharpen their focus, inspire innovation, and build the resilience to achieve lasting competitive advantage. This session will advise executives on how to go beyond being agile, flexible, and adaptable to leading with the purpose of creating true competitive advantage for the future.
Section 1 – Current and Future States
9:15 a.m. Panel Discussion: Too Many Chiefs?
New digital roles—chief digital officer, chief data officer, chief AI officer, and more—are proliferating as manufacturers push deeper into digitization. But where do the boundaries lie? And how should companies define the responsibilities of these critical technology leaders? This conversation will cut through the confusion and clarify how to structure leadership for maximum impact.
- Peter Aiken, Ph.D., Founding Director, Virginia Commonwealth University | Anything Awesome
- Matthew Littlefield, Co-Founder, President and Research Lead, LNS Research
- George Young, Ph.D., Vice President, Secure Digital Operations, Rockwell Automation | Kalypso
Moderator: Jeff Puma, Content Director, Manufacturing Leadership Council
10:00 a.m. Networking and Refreshment Break
10:30 a.m. Identifying the Future Leadership Persona
- Elena Alikhachkina, Ph.D., Chief Data Officer and Executive Director, InfoFluence.ai
The future of manufacturing demands a new kind of leader. Digital leadership will look different across sectors and types of manufacturing, but the mandate is the same: define the personas that will guide talent strategy and shape the next generation of leadership. Executives must understand the characteristics that matter most—and act now to build the capabilities their organizations will need to compete and win.
11:00 a.m. Panel Discussion: Designing the Organization of the Future
Digitization is reshaping how people access information and make decisions. The challenge is to design and redesign organizational structures that maximize effectiveness and unlock Manufacturing 4.0’s full potential. This will be an executive-level exploration of models that enable agility, empower teams and drive performance in the digital era.
- Siva Gurupackiam, Senior Vice President, Global Head Strategy and Solutions, Products Industries, NTT DATA
- Tim O’Neal, Global Director for Operational Excellence and Leveraged Services, Dow Inc.; Member, MLC Board of Governors
- Alison Seward, Vice President and General Manager Turbine and Fluid Systems, Industrial Systems and Services, Woodward, Inc.
Moderator: Penelope Brown, Senior Content Director, Manufacturing Leadership Council
Section 2 – Human-Machine Relationship
11:45 a.m. Making the Human-Machine Relationship Work
- Brad Zalischuk, Program Manager, Digital Innovation and Transformation, Eclipse Automation
As AI and digital transformation reshape manufacturing, leaders must rethink how humans, machines, and AI work together. This session introduces the 3Cs Framework – Connect, Contextualize, and Collaborate – to show how unified data and shared digital environments enable real-time human–machine collaboration. Attendees will explore practical strategies and technologies manufacturers can use to build trust, accelerate digital manufacturing, and shape the future of Physical AI.
12:20 p.m. Networking Luncheon
1:25 p.m. Fireside Chat: Developing Leaders in the Human-Machine Era
As intelligent systems take on a greater share of decision-making and operational work, manufacturing leaders face a new kind of challenge: guiding hybrid teams of people and machines toward shared goals. The next generation of leaders must blend technological fluency with strategic foresight while fostering cultures of trust and adaptability. This discussion will explore the evolving traits and mindsets manufacturers will need most and how companies are identifying and developing their future leaders.
- Philipp Schume, Smart Manufacturing Leader, EY
- Steve Urquhart, Talent Development Lead, Lockheed Martin
Moderator: Jeff Puma, Content Director, Manufacturing Leadership Council
2:00 p.m. Panel Discussion: Staying in the Driver’s Seat
As AI grows more powerful and capable of making decisions autonomously, manufacturing leaders face a critical question: Where should the boundaries of human oversight be set? This forward-looking panel will examine the technology’s evolution and share insights on how to maintain control and exercise it effectively.
- Tim Buschur, Chief Strategy Officer, Invisible AI
- Randal Kenworthy, Senior Partner, West Monroe
- Mike Tomasco, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, FUJIFILM Biotechnologies; Member, MLC Board of Governors
Moderator: David R. Brousell, Founder, Vice President and Executive Director, Manufacturing Leadership Council
Section 3 – Leading in an Unknown Future
2:45 p.m. Executive Interview: Strategies to Deal with Constant Change
Geopolitical, market and technological shifts are accelerating, challenging leaders to respond with agility, flexibility and adaptability. In this session, you’ll gain practical strategies and tactics to leverage in the era of constant change, positioning your organization to thrive in the years ahead.
- Geoff Gilmore, President and Chief Executive Officer, Worthington Steel
In conversation with: David R. Brousell, Founder, Vice President and Executive Director, Manufacturing Leadership Council
3:15 p.m. Networking and Refreshment Break
3:45 p.m. Panel Discussion: The Transformation of Change Management
A continual challenge for manufacturers undertaking significant technology projects is to marry those projects with effective change management methodologies and techniques in order to maximize adoption and success.
- Gardner Carrick, Chief Program Officer, The Manufacturing Institute
- Lisa McEvoy, Associate Vice President, Digital Manufacturing, Merck & Co., Inc.
- John Robinson, Founder and CEO, The Quorum Principle
- Dean Warman, Master Principal Consultant, Organizational Change Management, Infor
Moderator: Steven Moskowitz, Ph.D., Senior Director, Manufacturing Leadership Council
4:30 p.m. Biohacking Leadership: What Biology Teaches Us About the Digital Future
- Scott Hutcheson, Ph.D., Senior Lecturer, Engineering and Technology Leadership, Purdue University, School of Engineering Technology
Biological systems offer surprising insights into how leaders can adapt and thrive in a digital world. This session explores what “keystone species” teach us about building resilient teams and organizations.
5:00 p.m. Panel Discussion: Charting a Path for Leadership in the Future
Industry leaders will reflect on the day’s most impactful insights to define the strategies and mindsets you need to guide your organization and manufacturing leadership into the future. We’ll discuss not only how to chart a clear path for digital leadership, but also why a well-defined innovation strategy is essential for long-term competitiveness. This conversation will also serve as an introduction to tomorrow’s Innovating the Future event, where the IRI will take a deeper dive into building that innovation roadmap.
- Andrea Kates, Entrepreneur-in-Residence, MIT Kuo Sharper Center for Prosperity and Entrepreneurship
- Alyssa Mueller, IRI contributor and member of the Foresight Advisory Board
- Mike Tomasco, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, FUJIFILM Biotechnologies; Member, MLC Board of Governors
Moderator: Steven Moskowitz, Ph.D., Senior Director, Manufacturing Leadership Council
5:30 p.m. Networking and Cocktail Reception: The Future of Manufacturing Project and Innovating the Future
7:30 p.m. The MLC’s Future of Manufacturing Project Event Concludes
The Future of Manufacturing Project is not designed for those who are comfortable with the status quo, but those who are ready to embrace the future. Join us in Orlando for an event like no other.
- Network with like-minded, forward-thinking executives and industry thought leaders.
- Collaborate, brainstorm and share ideas to drive the future of manufacturing.
- Gain a holistic view of the emerging technologies you and your organization will need to thrive over the next 10 years and why leadership is a key enabler for success in this new era
- Walk away with strategies and action items to get a leg up on the competition.
- And so much more!
Our Insightful and Visionary Speakers
Our high-caliber speaker lineup will bring you the insight and inspiration you need for moving your business forward.
For information on becoming and/or nominating a speaker, please contact Jeff Puma at [email protected].
Andrea Kates
Geoff Gilmore
Peter Aiken, Ph.D.
Scott Hutcheson, Ph.D.
Matthew Littlefield
Tim O’Neal
Siva Gurupackiam
Alison Seward
Elena Alikachkina, Ph.D.
Mike Tomasco
Brad Zalischuk
Steve Urquhart
Philpp Schume
Randal Kenworthy
Gardner Carrick
Lisa McEvoy
John Robinson
Dean Warman
George Young, Ph.D.
Tim Buschur
David R. Brousell
Penelope Brown
Jeff Puma
Partnership presence at the Future of Manufacturing Project event is just one piece of the overall series that extends through 2025.
The MLC’s Future of Manufacturing Project partners are helping to influence and shape the industry for years to come.
If you are interested in becoming one of our exclusive Future of Manufacturing Project Partners, please reach out to Lauren Bisset at [email protected] and information will be provided.
Future of Manufacturing Project Partners
Accenture is a leading global professional services company that helps the world’s leading businesses, governments and other organizations build their digital core, optimize their operations, accelerate revenue growth, and enhance citizen services—creating tangible value at speed and scale. We are a talent and innovation led company with 750,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Technology is at the core of change today, and we are one of the world’s leaders in helping drive that change, with strong ecosystem relationships. We combine our strength in technology with unmatched industry experience, functional expertise, and global delivery capability. We are uniquely able to deliver tangible outcomes because of our broad range of services, solutions and assets across Strategy & Consulting, Technology, Operations, Industry X and Accenture Song. These capabilities, together with our culture of shared success and commitment to creating 360° value, enable us to help our clients succeed and build trusted, lasting relationships. We measure our success by the 360° value we create for our clients, each other, our shareholders, partners, and communities. Visit us at www.accenture.com.
Infor is a global leader in business cloud software specialized by industry. We develop complete solutions for our focus industries, including industrial manufacturing, distribution, health care, food & beverage, automotive, aerospace & defense and high tech. Infor’s mission-critical enterprise applications and services are designed to deliver sustainable operational advantages with security and faster time to value. We are obsessed with delivering successful business outcomes for customers. Over 65,000 organizations in more than 175 countries rely on Infor’s 17,000 employees to help achieve their business goals. As a Koch company, our financial strength, ownership structure and long-term view empower us to foster enduring, mutually beneficial relationships with our customers. Visit www.infor.com.
Invisible AI is a computer vision system for manufacturers to empower their workforce. Invisible AI uses real-time video and AI to analyze human motion and objects on the factory floor and conduct automated time studies on manual assembly tasks. This data is then used to improve production efficiency, support line rebalancing efforts, and reduce safety and quality incidents. Visit us at invisible.ai for more information.
NTT DATA – part of NTT Group – is a trusted global innovator of IT and business services headquartered in Tokyo. We partner with manufacturers to deliver innovative approaches to IT, OT and business challenges. Our experts provide deep industry expertise with applied innovations in digital, cloud and automation across a comprehensive portfolio of consulting, industry solutions, business process services, IT modernization and managed services. We enable clients, and society, to move confidently into the digital future and are committed to our clients’ long-term success. Visit us at us.nttdata.com.
As industrial companies seek to transform with emerging technologies and AI, Rockwell Automation and Kalypso are helping them create the future of industrial operations.
Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, combines advanced hardware, software and services to drive productivity, resilience and sustainability across industries.
Kalypso, Rockwell’s digital services business, helps companies unlock the power of digital solutions. From advancing automation to autonomy and creating a digital thread through the product lifecycle, Kalypso focuses on improving what’s made and how it’s made.
Together, Rockwell and Kalypso combine industry-leading automation with digital transformation expertise to solve complex production challenges, optimize processes and achieve measurable results—creating more resilient, agile and sustainable operations.
West Monroe is a digital services firm that was born in technology but built for business—partnering with companies in transformative industries to deliver quantifiable financial value. We believe that digital is a mindset—not a project, a team, or a destination—and it’s something companies become, not something they do. That’s why we work in diverse, multidisciplinary teams that blend management consulting, digital design, and product engineering to move companies from traditional ways of working to digital operating models—and create experiences that transcend the digital and physical worlds. Connected by the 13 founding values that drive our culture, our 2,200 employees work collaboratively across the firm with the belief that our clients’ success is our success. Visit WestMonroe.com to learn more.
Registration is Open!
Registration is subject to approval by the Manufacturing Leadership Council. You will receive confirmation of your registration status or outreach from an MLC team member within three (3) business days of your completed registration.
If you have any questions about registration or would like more information, please contact [email protected].
In-Person Registration Fee: $595*
Manufacturing Leadership Council Members
- One (1) event pass is included as a part of your membership.
- A limited number of additional passes per company will be available for purchase.
NAM, IRI and Affiliate Members
- May purchase up to two (2) passes for qualified team members to attend.
Non-Members
- May purchase up to two (2) passes for qualified team members to attend.
*Registration is limited to end-user manufacturing organizations and approved academia. Solution providers: organizations that provide any form of technology and/or consulting products and services to manufacturing organizations, and do not manufacture any products, are not permitted to attend outside of MLC membership or program partnership. If an individual from an organization that qualifies as a solution provider registers, a Manufacturing Leadership Council team member will contact you about your registration.
If you are interested in learning more about partnership of the project, please contact [email protected].
Conrad Orlando
Inside the lush 1,100 acres at Evermore Orlando Resort is a captivating retreat. Buffered by a nature preserve, Conrad Orlando offers everything from a tranquil water garden to thrilling aquatic adventures. Explore our eight-acre crystalline lagoon, golf at the acclaimed Links Course, and dine at our five restaurants and lounges. Take the dedicated motor coach to Walt Disney World® Resort, less than three miles away.
Booking Information
Our room block is now closed. If you are in need of a room and unable to book, please contact [email protected]
Discounted room rate: $379/night
The cut-off date for reservations is Tuesday, November 10, 2025. However once the room block is filled (which may be before cut-off) room rate and availability are not guaranteed. Reservations can be cancelled up to 72 hours prior to arrival without penalty. If you cancel within 72 hours of your scheduled arrival, a cancellation fee equal to one night’s room rate will be charged. Note, a one-night’s deposit will be charged at the time of booking.
To make reservations, call the Conrad Orlando at 407-387-2000 and reference the group “NAM IRI/MLC Room Block” for the group rate. You can also make reservations online by clicking here.
Travel
- Suggested Airport: Orlando International Airport (MCO)
- Suggested Arrival: Afternoon of Tuesday, December 2
- Suggested Departure: Morning of Thursday, December 4
